1967 Chevrolet Corvette - Tank-Sticker Tell-All

On top of the Rat motor, a date-coded set of Holley Tri-power carbs feeds 1,282 cfm of air and 100-octane fuel into a factory aluminum intake. Spark is sourced from a K66 transistor ignition system sending current down date-coded Delco 7mm wires to AC Delco R44XLS plugs. Gases are evacuated through factory cast-iron headers and original 2 1/2-inch side pipes. Power moves rearward from the crank to an 11-inch factory clutch and an M21 close-ratio four-speed transmission. From there, it's transferred through a stock driveshaft to a GM rearend optioned with a Posi unit and 3.70 gears.

Chevy 15x6-inch steel Rally wheels anchor the Sting Ray at all four corners, and are wrapped in Coker 775-15 reproduction Redline tires. The brute force of the big-block is tamed by GM front and rear discs featuring 11.75-inch rotors. Other options on this rare midyear include a radio delete, tinted glass, power steering, and power windows.

"I went to great lengths to make the 427/435 exactly the way it left the factory," Musi explained. "And more than that, the Vette was reassembled in the exact same order that GM would have built the original car, using GM N.O.S. parts whenever available. In fact, there are very few aftermarket parts on the car."

The NCRS agreed and awarded this stunning Sting Ray a Second Flight award in a recent judging. With minor corrections, Musi believes the car will receive the organization's coveted Top Flight status in the near future.

"The manner in which Chevrolet Engineering used this Corvette is still not completely known to me," Musi told us. "I'd like to learn exactly how my Corvette was used, by whom, and for how long. I've owned over 50 Corvettes in my lifetime, and this engineering car has a lot of mystery to it. We don't know how it got out of GM. I want this story to be read by someone who was involved with my Corvette's history so that I can learn its entire story."

If you have information on Pat Musi's "Zone 00 Dealer 500" Corvette, we would like to hear from you. Send us an e-mail at vettemag@sourceinterlink.com or write us at VETTE magazine, 9036 Brittany Way, Tampa, FL 33619.